Moorpark powers past Thousand Oaks in Camino League opener

The Moorpark High football team cruised to a 42-14 victory over Thousand Oaks in its Camino League opener on Friday night.

The Musketeers (7-1, 1-0) benefited from a huge first half from running back Nikos Booth-Fortier, who put up 103 yards and four touchdowns.

“We got off to a slow start, and once we got our running game going because of (Booth-Fortier), it helped us,” Moorpark head coach Tim Lins said.

Moorpark fell behind after Thousand Oaks’ first drive, when Lancers quarterback Freddie Ricketts ran 9 yards for a score with 10:49 to go in the opening quarter. A three-and-out added to the Musketeers’ early struggles, but they turned things around on their second drive after a botched punt from Thousand Oaks set them up with good field position.

The Musketeers only needed three plays to score, including two runs from Booth-Fortier, who scored his first of four touchdowns with a 6-yard run. Moorpark didn’t look back and scored 35 unanswered points until Thousand Oaks was finally able to get back on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter.

However, it was not all easy for the Musketeers. Starting quarterback and Navy commit Tyger Goslin left the game just before halftime with an ankle injury. Junior William Westerling was forced to take over the Moorpark offense.

“I was actually extremely nervous. I’m so glad we have such great team leaders. All of our starting receivers really helped me out,” Westerling said. “I wasn’t really 100 percent prepared, and they all came out and showed what great leaders they are.”

Despite being nervous, Westerling seemed comfortable when thrust into the spotlight, connecting with wide receiver Zane Pope for a 58-yard score on just his second and final pass attempt of the game on the Musketeers’ opening drive of the second half. Pope shed the initial tackle and ran about 20 extra yards to find the end zone.

“We feel good about (Westerling). He takes a lot of practice reps, so I think he was ready. He made some good decisions out there,” Lins said.

Westerling wasn’t the only backup player in the game for Moorpark in the second half. After Booth-Fortier’s huge first half, Lins decided to give his feature back the second half off. The Musketeers didn’t miss a step as Christian Teixeira ran for 49 yards on his first carry of the game, setting up a 1-yard quarterback sneak from Westerling for a touchdown. Teixeira finished the game with 57 yards on five carries.

“Both of our backs came in and did a good job, and Billy Westerling did a good job,” Lins said.

For Thousand Oaks (2-6, 0-1), the loss was another game in which it lacked consistency on both sides of the ball.

“We just have got to keep getting better and string together more positive plays. I think we had a number of run stops for losses tonight, but then on the other side of it, we’re giving up some big plays as well,” Thousand Oaks head coach Mike Leibin said.

Leibin said while his team played well in some facets, it was not enough to stop Moorpark’s high-powered offense.

“I think our offensive line did a great job tonight. I think they played well as a unit. I think our linebackers played really well as a unit, and we just have got to get more guys on that page,” Leibin said.

For Moorpark, Goslin completed 6 of 10 passes for 99 yards while rushing for 56 yards on five attempts before exiting with the injury. Westerling completed 1 of 2 passes for 58 yards. Pope caught four passes for 103 yards.

For Thousand Oaks, Ricketts completed 14 of 24 passes for 72 yards and rushed for 89 yards on 15 carries. Troy Helo caught six passes for 64 yards and Nate Davis rushed for 26 yards on nine carries with one touchdown.

The Lancers continue Camino League play next week on the road against Calabasas. The Coyotes are coming off a 40-14 victory in their Camino League opener against Newbury Park.

Moorpark will look to use the momentum from this blowout victory and continue its success next week at home against Newbury Park.

“I don’t think we’ll have any injuries and everyone’s going to be back. We’re all excited. We’re all ready to play and take the lead,” Westerling said.